Eluned Morgan

This article is about the Welsh politician. For the Welsh-language author, see Eluned Morgan (author).

The Right Honourable
The Baroness Morgan of Ely
PC MS
Morgan in 2024
First Minister of Wales
Incumbent
Assumed office
6 August 2024
MonarchCharles III
DeputyHuw Irranca-Davies
Preceded byVaughan Gething
Leader of Welsh Labour
Incumbent
Assumed office
24 July 2024
DeputyCarolyn Harris
Preceded byVaughan Gething
Ministerial offices
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care[a]
In office
13 May 2021 – 6 August 2024
First MinisterMark Drakeford
Vaughan Gething
Preceded byVaughan Gething
Succeeded byMark Drakeford
Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
In office
8 October 2020 – 13 May 2021
First MinisterMark Drakeford
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byLynne Neagle
Minister for the Welsh Language[b]
In office
3 November 2017 – 13 May 2021
First Minister
Preceded byAlun Davies
Succeeded byJeremy Miles
Member of the Senedd
for Mid and West Wales
Incumbent
Assumed office
5 May 2016
Preceded byRebecca Evans
Parliamentary offices
Member of the House of Lords
Lord Temporal
Life peerage
26 January 2011
Member of the European Parliament
for Wales
In office
10 June 1999 – 4 June 2009
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byJohn Bufton
Member of the European Parliament
for Mid and West Wales
In office
9 June 1994 – 10 June 1999
Preceded byDavid Morris
Succeeded bySeat abolished
Personal details
Born
Mair Eluned Morgan

(1967-02-16) 16 February 1967 (age 57)
Cardiff, Wales
Political partyLabour
SpouseRhys Jenkins
Children2
Parent
Alma materUniversity of Hull
Websitewww.elunedmorgan.wales

Mair Eluned Morgan, Baroness Morgan of Ely, PC (born 16 February 1967), is a Welsh Labour politician who has served as First Minister of Wales and Leader of Welsh Labour since 2024.[1] She previously served as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in the Welsh Government from 2021 to 2024.[a][2][3]

Morgan has been a Member of the House of Lords since 2011 and has served as a Member of the Senedd (MS) since 2016. She is a Welsh speaker[4] and was Minister for the Welsh Language from 2017 to 2021, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing from 2020 to 2021, and a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 1994 to 2009.

Personal life and Education

Eluned Morgan was born and brought up in Ely, Cardiff, the daughter of Revd Canon Bob Morgan and Elaine Morgan.[5] She was educated at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, as well as, through a scholarship, the independent United World College of the Atlantic, and later gained a degree in European Studies from the University of Hull.[6][7]

Morgan is married to Rev Dr Rhys Jenkins, who is a GP and also a non-stipendiary priest.[8][9] Morgan's family hails from St David's in Pembrokeshire.[10]

In March 2022, Morgan was banned from driving for a period of six months following repeated speeding fines. The offence which took her over the 12-point limit was on a 30mph road in Wrexham.[11]

Professional career and voluntary positions

Morgan formerly worked as a researcher for S4C, Agenda TV and the BBC.[12]

After leaving the European Parliament she worked as the Director of National Development for SSE in Wales (SWALEC) from 2009 to June 2013 where she was responsible for establishing the new SWALEC Smart Energy Centre in Treforest. She was appointed Chair of the Cardiff Business Partnership.

Morgan is a Fellow of Trinity College Carmarthen[13] and is an Honorary-Distinguished Professor and Fellow of Cardiff University.[14] She served on the board of the International Baccalaureate Organisation for three years.[15][better source needed] She was the Chair of the Cardiff Business Partnership.[16] She was a member of the External Advisory Board to the Wales Governance Centre.[17] She served on the Council of Atlantic College. She was Chair of Live Music Now in Wales, a charity which sends talented young musicians to care homes and special schools and demonstrates the transformational impact of music, from 2012 to 2016.[18][19]

Political career

Welsh Labour and Yes for Wales

Eluned Morgan served on the Welsh Labour Party Executive for ten years and was appointed to the Welsh Assembly Advisory Group, which was responsible for developing the standing orders of the Senedd. She was a founding member of the Yes for Wales Cross-party group, which campaigned for the Assembly to be established.[20]

European Parliament

Morgan as an MEP at a meeting of the European Parliament in Strasbourg in 1995

In 1990, Morgan worked as a stagiaire in the European Parliament for the Socialist Group.

In 1994, Morgan was elected as a Member of the European Parliament representing Mid and West Wales. At the time she was the youngest MEP when she took up her seat.[21] She continued as an MEP representing the Wales constituency, being elected at both the 1999 and 2004 elections, before standing down at the 2009 elections.[22]

Eluned Morgan served as the budget control spokesperson for the 180 strong Socialist Group. She was also the Labour Party's European spokesperson on Energy, Industry and Science.[23] She was responsible for drafting the European Parliament's response to the Energy Green Paper and also took the lead role in negotiating on behalf of the Parliament the revision of the Electricity Directive.

House of Lords

On 19 November 2010 it was announced that Morgan had been granted a life peerage and would sit on the Labour benches of the House of Lords,[24] and was gazetted on 27 January 2011 as Baroness Morgan of Ely in the City of Cardiff.[25][26] From 2013–2016, Morgan served as the Shadow Minister for Wales in the House of Lords, and from 2014 to 2016 she served as Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and also as a whip.[19] She was responsible for leading for Labour in the House of Lords on the EU Referendum Bill and led for Labour on two Wales Bills.[27]

Morgan is currently on a leave of absence from the House of Lords.[19]

Senedd and Welsh Government

A video of Eluned Morgan takes the daily COVID-19 press conference in November 2020

In 2015 Morgan was selected as a candidate for the 2016 Welsh election on the Mid and West Wales regional list.[28] On 5 May 2016 she was elected from the regional list as an Assembly Member in the Senedd.

In November 2017 she was appointed Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning.[29] She contested the 2018 Welsh Labour leadership election, but was not successful, coming third. She was then appointed by First Minister Mark Drakeford as Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language in December 2018 before being moved to Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and the Welsh Language in October 2020.

Morgan was re-elected at the 2021 Senedd election,[30] and a week later was appointed Minister for Health and Social Services.[31] In March 2023, the Welsh Conservatives submitted a motion of no confidence in her, following mounting criticism of Morgan's handling of the Betsi Cadwaladr crisis. The motion was defeated, with 26 votes in favor and 29 against.[32]

Morgan endorsed Vaughan Gething in the February–March 2024 Welsh Labour leadership election.[33] She retained her role as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in the Gething government.[34]

Leader of Welsh Labour

In July 2024, Morgan announced that she would be standing in the July 2024 Welsh Labour leadership election on a unity ticket with Huw Irranca-Davies, who would serve as her deputy first minister if she was elected leader.[35][36] On 24 July 2024, she was confirmed to be the only candidate that met the 5 nomination threshold, and was therefore elected as leader of Welsh Labour.[37]

First Minister of Wales (2024–present)

See also: Eluned Morgan government
Morgan being sworn in as first minister on 6 August 2024
First Minister Eluned Morgan meeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Cardiff
First Minister Eluned Morgan meeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Cardiff

On 6 August 2024, Eluned Morgan was officially sworn in as the First Minister of Wales, following her nomination by the Senedd, which was recalled from its summer recess for this purpose. As the leader of the largest party in the Senedd,[38] Morgan secured the position with 28 votes, marking the beginning of her tenure as Wales' first female First Minister.[39]

Upon entering government as the first minister, one of the first issues to face Morgan was the prospect of the 2024 United Kingdom riots beginning in Wales. In a statement, Morgan said that she was "not complacent", further adding that Wales was a "society and a nation that should be welcoming people... we cannot let those people who are determined to be destructive within our communities to get a hold".[40]

Shortly after taking office, First Minister Eluned Morgan met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Cardiff during his visit to Wales.[41] The meeting focused on "resetting the relationship" between the UK and Welsh governments. Key topics included NHS funding, energy independence, and the future of Tata Steel jobs in Wales. They also discussed the development of renewable energy through the Welsh Government's initiative, Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, aimed at producing clean energy and creating skilled jobs in Wales.[42]

On 28 August 2024, she was appointed a Privy Councillor.[43]

Notes

  1. ^ a b As Minister for Health and Social Services from 2021 to 2024
  2. ^ Deputy Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language from 3 November 2017 to 13 December 2018; Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language from 13 December 2018 to 8 October 2020; Welsh Language from 8 October 2020.

References

  1. ^ "Eluned Morgan: Wales' new first minister confirmed". BBC News.
  2. ^ "Wales election: New health and education ministers in reshuffle". BBC News. 13 May 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  3. ^ "First Minister Vaughan Gething announces new Welsh Government Cabinet | GOV.WALES". www.gov.wales. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  4. ^ Mosalski, Ruth (24 July 2024). "13 things you need to know about Eluned Morgan". Wales Online.
  5. ^ "Baroness Morgan of Ely's tribute to Cardiff childhood". BBC News. 23 January 2011.
  6. ^ "(Mair) Eluned Morgan MORGAN OF ELY". Debrett's. Retrieved 4 November 2015.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Eluned Morgan: Who is the first minister candidate?". BBC News. 22 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  8. ^ "New ministers ordained by Archbishop - The Diocese of Llandaff". The Diocese of Llandaff. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  9. ^ "Register of Member's interests - Fifth Senedd" (PDF). senedd.wales. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Eluned Morgan elected as regional AM". County Echo. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  11. ^ "Driving ban for Welsh Health Minister Eluned Morgan for speeding". BBC News. 17 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  12. ^ Morris, Steven (23 July 2024). "Who is Eluned Morgan, Wales's likely next first minister?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  13. ^ "Baroness Eluned Morgan AM - University of Wales Trinity Saint David". www.uwtsd.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 26 September 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  14. ^ "Profile: Eluned Morgan". profiles.cardiff.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024.
  15. ^ "Eluned MORGAN | [ParlTrack]". parltrack.org. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  16. ^ Barry, Sion (20 June 2012). "Baroness Morgan appointed new chair of Cardiff Business Partnership". Wales Online. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  17. ^ "External Advisory Board, Wales Governance Centre". Cardiff University. Archived from the original on 26 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  18. ^ "Board of Governors". Live Music Now. Archived from the original on 22 August 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  19. ^ a b c "Baroness Morgan of Ely". UK Parliament. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  20. ^ "Launching Yes for Wales". Institute of Welsh Affairs. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  21. ^ "MEP Eluned Morgan will step down". 14 October 2008. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  22. ^ WalesOnline (14 October 2008). "Eluned Morgan to step down as MEP". walesonline. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  23. ^ WalesOnline (5 April 2006). "What science can do for Wales". walesonline. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  24. ^ "Latest Peerages announced". Number10.gov.uk. Retrieved 27 February 2011. [verification needed]
  25. ^ "No. 59682". The London Gazette. 27 January 2011. p. 1357.
  26. ^ "HOUSE OF LORDS - Official Report" (PDF). Parliamentry Debates (HANSARD). 26 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  27. ^ Deans, David (2017). "Labour AM Morgan backs Wales Bill". BBC News. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  28. ^ Martin Shipton (11 December 2015) "Former MEP Baroness Eluned Morgan on course to become an Assembly Member", Wales Online. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
  29. ^ Williamson, David (3 November 2017). "The full details of Carwyn Jones' Welsh Government reshuffle". Walesonline. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  30. ^ "Election results for Mid and West Wales, 6 May 2021". business.senedd.wales. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  31. ^ "Written Statement: Cabinet appointments to the new Welsh Government". www.gov.wales. 13 May 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  32. ^ "Welsh NHS patients at risk, says former health boss". BBC News. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  33. ^ Williams, Rhys (20 December 2023). "Welsh Labour leadership: Who's backing who to become the next First Minister?". Caerphilly Observer. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  34. ^ "First Minister Vaughan Gething announces new Welsh Government Cabinet | GOV.WALES". www.gov.wales. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  35. ^ "Eluned Morgan confirms bid to be next Welsh first minister". BBC News. 22 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  36. ^ Mansfield, Mark (22 July 2024). "Eluned Morgan confirms bid to replace Vaughan Gething". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  37. ^ "Eluned Morgan to be Wales' next first minister after becoming Welsh Labour leader". BBC News. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  38. ^ Deans, David (25 July 2024). "Senedd will sit in August for first minister vote". BBC News. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  39. ^ Evans, Tomos (6 August 2024). "Eluned Morgan selected as Wales's new first minister after Vaughan Gething's resignation". Sky News. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  40. ^ "UK Riots: Wales' first minister Eluned Morgan 'not complacent'". BBC News. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  41. ^ "Gareth Lewis: Keir Starmer, Eluned Morgan meet as problems loom". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  42. ^ Wheeler, Richard (20 August 2024). "Sir Keir Starmer: Key role for Wales in making Britain an energy superpower". Evening Standard. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  43. ^ "Privy Council appointments: 28 August 2024". Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street. 28 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
European Parliament
Preceded by Member of the European Parliament for Mid and West Wales
1994–1999 		Constituency abolished
New constituency Member of the European Parliament for Wales
1999–2009 		Succeeded by
Senedd
Preceded by Member of the Senedd for Mid and West Wales
2016–present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by First Minister of Wales
2024–present 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Leader of Welsh Labour
2024–present 		Incumbent